Speaker 1: Avijanna and the observant young man from the Turkish when
Abu Sinna footnote Avijanna, the foremost Arabic physician and philosopher
who lived nine hundred eighty to one thousand thirty seven
and a footnote, was in Ispahaman in the three hundred
and ninety eighth year of the hedgarre that powerful person
allie at Doaulet Abu Jaffer deli May was its governor.
At that time, distinctions and marks of regard were bestowed
on Abu Sinna without ceasing. One day, the Sultan took
from his waist a rich invaluable belt and bestowed it
upon that excellent Shike. This, the latter afterwards gave to
one of the Sultan's own attendants. The Sultan, observing it
on the individual, in required how he came by it.
The man replied that he had received it from the
Shikh as a present. The Sultan was greatly displeased and
rebuked the attendant severely for having accepted it. At the
same time, he swore to take the shikh's life for
caring so little for his gifts. But one of the
Shik's friends, giving him information of what had occurred. He
acted on the propheb, which says, separate from him whom
you cannot withstand and forthwith, departed from the country in disguise.
On coming to another city and dismounting at the Caravanseae,
he walked to the marketplace in search of provisions. Whilst
thus engaged, he observed a youth of talent and science,
around whom a crowd of people were collected, asking him
for remedies. The youth, in turn showed to each one
the remedies for his complaint and the means to recover
from his malady. Presently, a woman made her appearance, bearing
a white vase in her hands, which she showed to him.
The youth said that the vase belonged to a jew,
which the woman confirmed. Afterwards, he said that she had
eaten that day half an egg and some curds, and
this the woman also avowed. The young man next asked
if the woman did not then reside in a filthy
part of the city, and the woman answered affirmatively. Abusina,
observing the youth's superior talents, was astonished at his language
and the remedies which he prescribed. The young man's eyes
happened to meet those of Abusina, and making him a
secret sign of recognition, he addressed the Shike with deference
and said, you are he who has received that divine science,
and are that unequaled and most perfectly excellent person. The
rees Abu Ali bin Sinha, who fled from Ispahan through
fear of the Sultan, allae at Daulette and all come
to this place with the intention of residing here. Then,
feeling kindly towards the Shik, he left all his business,
kissed the Shik's feet, took his hands in his and
led him to his own house. After receiving from the
young man all the usual attendants of a servant, the
Shikh asked him whence he had drawn his conclusions and
how he knew that the vase belonged to a jew.
The youth replied, I observed the old woman's tunic and
knew from its marks that she was a Jewish, and
I judged that the vase also belonged to one of
the same people. Her dress was soiled with eggs and
with curdled milk, and I knew that she must have
eaten of both these things. Moreover, knowing that the jew
quarter at this time is a filthy place. I remarked
that it was unclean, but said the Shikh, how did
you become acquainted with me and my profession? The youth said,
in reply, knowing the envy of ALLAHI at Daulette, the
circumstance of your having fled from him is a proof
of the renown of your excellence, and that your sagacity
and mental powers must be as bright as the sun
in the heavens. I have heard too of the good
qualities with which you are gifted, and I beheld on
your noble front the characteristics of those traits which beamed
upon me like the mid day sun, from all of
which I felt assured that you were the celebrated physician.
Abu Sinna. I likewise knew that the Sultan could not
bear to be separated from you for a moment, and
therefore was convinced that you must have left him by
your own desire and against his will. The young man
next bent the knee of politeness before the shyk and
thanked God for allowing him to meet with such a man.
The Shikh then said, what have you to ask of me?
Tell me your wishes and as far as my destiny
permits I will endeavor to promote them. The intelligent youth replied,
it is impossible that you should remain separated from the Sultan,
and what I ask from you is that when you
again appear before him, you will relate the occurrences which
you have witnessed and obtain me a place in his service,
even as one of his most humble attendants. Some days
after this, a man came to the Shik on the
part of the Sultan, who begged his pardon for the
past and invited him to return to his palace. The
Shik took the youth with him, and, on reaching the Sultan,
related what he had witnessed respecting him. Wherefore the Sultan
forthwith appointed him to be one of his own pages.